" I am come so that they may have life and have it to the full. " John 10:10

Sister Bridhi Ekka (1944 - 2015)

“When we unleash the power of women, we can secure the future for all”, said UN, secretary General Ban- Ki- moon in his message for International women’s Day 2015.

In honor of UN International Women’s Day, March 8, we honor the memory of Sister Bridhi Ekka, osu, a tireless apostle.

“There may come persecutions but I have to work for the church in union with the bishops, priests, religious and all members of the church.” Sister Bridhi

A sign of hope in a broken world

Sister Bridhi (1944 - 2015)lived the Ursuline charism by reading the signs of the times and its needs and moving in that direction. She was a dynamic force in our contemporary society. She combined creativity, courage, and stamina with faith in her work to improve the status of women.

Sister Bridhi stood by the poor and marginalized and empowered them, especially in the village apostolate.

Parents and students cherished her motherly love and her efforts to promote schooling for all children as well as introducing new methods of agriculture Ready to take new risks.

Responding to her call to be an Ursuline and following the example of St. Angela, she shared the gift of her life in service toothers and impacted the lives of thousands of women.

An example of this is her ministry as Coordinator of Mahila Sangh in Ambikapur Diocese.

Sr. Bridhi brought women’s rights awareness to 24 villages and organized 42 self-help groups. In her own words, Sister Bridhi shared her experience of working with the Women’s Association in the Diocese of Ambikapur:

I travelled long distances to the villages on foot and conducted seminars for women on the role of women in the villages and church. When I look back at their former situation and look at the present, I find that enormous changes have taken place in their way of living. Their togetherness and unity help them to tap the various resources of development available from the government.

They can raise their voices now. A messenger of joy, peace and hope As a result of teaching women’s rights and setting up self-help groups in many villages,

our brave sister was accused of making conversions and sent to jail in 1996 and 2002. While in jail she won the hearts ofwomen and children who were depressed and sad.

She spread the Good News by praying, singing, and dancing with them. In her words:

I was happy that I was with them to sympathize and alleviate their inner worries, difficulties and problems. (AQUA,INDIA, October 2002)

With all these experiences, my love of Jesus got renewed and my faith grew deeper in Him and I shall go on preaching His name till my last breath.” (AQUA, INDIA, October 1999)

We might ask ourselves if we allow the Holy Spirit to animate us to be messengers of joy, peace and hope especially to the vulnerable as Sister Bridhi did.

May we keep her in mind every day especially on the day of her death, February 4 2015.